thinking for a change cognitive skills program outcome evaluation 2005-2007 carver county court...

Thinking for a Change Thinking for a Change Cognitive Skills ProgramCognitive Skills Program

Outcome Evaluation 2005-Outcome Evaluation 2005-2007 2007

Carver County Court ServicesCarver County Court Services

Notes about project:Notes about project:

• Quasi-experimental design was used, Quasi-experimental design was used, which means that program and which means that program and comparison samples were similar, comparison samples were similar, however, true random sampling was however, true random sampling was not possible or realisticnot possible or realistic

Notes, cont:Notes, cont:

• Thinking for a Change was curriculum used Thinking for a Change was curriculum used (National Institute of Corrections)(National Institute of Corrections)

• Dependent variables are recidivism, Dependent variables are recidivism, reoffense frequency, and reoffense severityreoffense frequency, and reoffense severity

• Independent variable is the completion of Independent variable is the completion of the T4C curriculumthe T4C curriculum


• Data was collected for 3 time Data was collected for 3 time intervals: 6 month, 12 month, and intervals: 6 month, 12 month, and 18 month18 month

• Sample sizes were dependent upon Sample sizes were dependent upon time intervals. For example, some time intervals. For example, some participants in the program sample participants in the program sample were too current to gather 18 month were too current to gather 18 month data, therefore were not includeddata, therefore were not included


• Program groups Program groups were similar to were similar to comparison groups comparison groups in terms of YLS/CMI in terms of YLS/CMI scoresscores

YLS Scores: Program vs. Comparison

24 26

05

10152025303540

1

Type of Group

Med

ian

YL

S S

core

Program Group (N=27)

Comparison Group(N=20)

Results: 6 month intervalResults: 6 month interval

• Recidivism Recidivism percentage for the percentage for the program group was program group was slightly higher than slightly higher than the comparison the comparison group, but not group, but not statistically statistically significantsignificant

Recidivism: Program vs. Comparison (6 month)

30%25%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

1

Type of Group

Nu

mb

er R

ecid

ivat

ed

(Per

cen

tag

e) Program Group (N=27)

Comparison GroupN=20)


• Out of those Out of those participants who participants who recidivated in both recidivated in both program and program and comparison comparison samples, the total samples, the total number of offenses number of offenses committed was the committed was the samesame

Recidivism: Offenses Committed

13 13

0

5

10

15

20

1

Type of Group

Nu

mb

er o

f O

ffen

ses



Results: 6-month intervalResults: 6-month interval

• Out of the Out of the participants who participants who recidivated in both recidivated in both samples, the samples, the severity of the severity of the offenses offenses committed was committed was similar similar

0

24

68

1012

Number of Offenses

1

Level of Offense

Recidivism: Level of Offenses Committed (Program- Six Month)

Misdemeanor

Gross Misdemeanor

Felony

0

24

68

1012

Number of Offenses

1

Level of Offense

Recidivism: Level of Offenses Committed (Comparison- Six Month)

Misdemeanor

Gross Misdemeanor

Felony


• The recidivism rate The recidivism rate for the program for the program group was slightly group was slightly lower than the lower than the comparison group comparison group but not statistically but not statistically significantsignificant


42% 45%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

1

Type of Group

Num

ber

reci

diva

ted

(Per

cent

age)

Program Group (N= 19)



• Out of the Out of the participants who participants who recidivated in both recidivated in both samples, the samples, the program group program group committed fewer committed fewer new offensesnew offenses

Recidivism: Number of offenses committed (12 month)

17

23

0

5

10

15

20

25

1

Type of Group

Num

ber o

f Offe

nses

Program Group

Comparison Group


• The program group The program group had fewer had fewer misdemeanor misdemeanor reoffenses, while reoffenses, while the number of gross the number of gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor and misdemeanor misdemeanor offenses were offenses were similarsimilar

14

12

0

2

4

6

8

10

Number of Offenses

1

Level of Offense

Recidivism: Level of Offenses Committed (Program- 12 month)

Misdemeanor

Gross Misdemeanor

Felony

19

1

3

0

2

4

6

8

10

Number of Offenses

1

Level of Offense

Recidivism: Level of Offenses Committed (Comparison- 12 month)

Misdemeanor

Gross Misdemeanor

Felony


• The program The program group’s recidivism group’s recidivism rate was rate was significantly less significantly less than the than the comparison groupcomparison group


47%

60%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

1

Type of Group

Num

ber r

ecidi

vate

d (P

erce

ntag

e) Program Group (N=15)

Comparison Group (N=20)


• The comparison The comparison group committed group committed twice as many twice as many reoffenses than the reoffenses than the program group. program group. Note that the Note that the program group was program group was smaller than the smaller than the comparison group, comparison group, howeverhowever

Recidivism: Number of Offenses Committed

18

37

05

10

15202530

3540

1

Type of Group

Num

ber

of o

ffens

es




• The comparison group The comparison group committed significantly committed significantly more misdemeanors more misdemeanors than the program group. than the program group. They also committed They also committed more gross more gross misdemeanors and misdemeanors and felonies. Note that the felonies. Note that the program group was program group was smaller than the smaller than the comparison group, comparison group, however.however.

15

12

0

2

4

6

8

10

Number of Offenses

1

Level of Offense

Recidivism: Level of Offenses Committed (Program- 18 month)

Misdemeanor

Gross Misdemeanor

Felony

28

36

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Number of Offenses

1

Level of Offense

Recidivism: Level of Offenses Committed (Comparison- 18 month)

Misdemeanor

Gross Misdemeanor

Felony

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